IF Britain ever needs a Granddads’ Army to invade the Arctic Circle... local fishery banks would be a good place to start recruiting!
With wind-chill factors hitting minus double figures in some places those too keen – or too daft – to stay indoors were out there toughing it out.
And 78-year-old Ron Kyte, a Northampton Specialist Group founder, was leading the charge – doing after-dark sessions on Olney’s Ouse!
Despite the incredible cold, he persevered to catch, on one occasion, a 12-12 ‘fin perfect’ barbel and chub of 5-12 and 4-6... in just two hours.
He said “My wife worries about me fishing after dark... but while you can still go you’ve got to go.”
Among others also getting last gasp biggies (river close season starts midnight tonight, March 14) Stewart Harris had a 7-13 chub and Ian Spires a 7-2 – both Ouse fish.
And Graham Prince set a new Olney record with a 4-4 perch and landed a 4-6 chub, while a vets’ do on Newport’s Ouzel was won with 10lb of silvers. Stan Pannell had 10lb of roach on the Tove.
ON stillwaters Scone Zones’ Paul Garner topped the Meadowlands’ 16 teams of three round with 12 margin carp for 92-6 as Simon Fry (Cherry Pie Trio) had 58-14 and Tussies’ Nige Smith 52lb. Following disastrous early rounds, Ringers Baits roared back for top team. Guru lead.
CASTLE Ashby: midweek, Grendon, Steve Ringer 47-12, Nick Waddham 39-4, John Kent 35-12. Sunday: Grendon, Bob Reed 17-12, Chris Garratt 16-4, Andy Jones 15-12; Scotland, Kevin Folwell 21-8, Keith Bishop 16-12, Roger Clutton 14-8; Brickyard, Phil Gimbit 26-12, Paul Hardman 22-4, Frank Pizmenti 15-12.
WHITE Hart Flore, Barby Banks: Dave Chapman 44-8, Alan Barnes 19-8, Rob Whickham 11-8.
BISHOPS Bowl pairs: Dave Smart 39-14, Roy Murfitt 23-2, Steve Hatt 19-2. Kevin Green and Rob Bassett top pair.
CASTLE silverfish, Canons: Jeff Rice 23-4, Fred Prior 16-1, Steve Brooks 10-8.
NENE, ‘lovers lane’, Bugbrooke cut: Dave Gibbins 10lb (inc a 1-2 roach), John Balhatchett 6-15, Chris Howard 5-6.
RUSHDEN, Wold Farm: Josh Lines 12lb, Ash Whitnnell 10lb, Gary Winkle 9lb.
TOWCESTER, Tove: Tony Hirst 4-11, Les Goodridge 3-15, Grenville Read 3-14.
GLEBE, Bugbrooke cut: Dave Haddon 3-7, Marcus Annable 1-8, Brian Beard 1-7.
TOWCESTER vets, Navvi canal: George Cooke 1-14, John Balhatchett 1-13, Walt Ashby 1-7.
FLORE & Brockhall, canal teams of three: Rob ‘It’s a gift’ Rawlins 1-9-8, Jim Tanser 1-5-4, Gerald Cash 0-11. Regulars lead.
TROUT: Elinor, 563 fish to 10-4 for 120 rods; Ringstead, fish to 6lb, Ravensthorpe, 218 to 6lb for 63 rods; Pitsford’s opening averaged 4 per rod, Judith Tufts getting 13 before lunch! Grafham opens Sunday.